Springfield couple accused of animal cruelty; dog found malnourished

A Springfield couple has been charged after police found their dog malnourished and without a license, according to police reports.

David Theron Channels, Sr., 36, and wife Tiffany Channels, 31, were charged with two counts of a cruelty to a companion animal, according to Springfield Municipal Court records. David Channels did not attend a hearing Monday and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A court hearing is continued for Tiffany Channels until next week, according to online court documents.

The Clark County Dog Warden‘s Office began their investigation when they received a call on Jan. 31 requesting that an officer check on the condition of a female white and gray pit bull belonging to the couple, according to a court affidavit.

The caller told authorities they were concerned about the dog, which was “emaciated and had visible pressure sores,” the affidavit says.

They arrived at the Channels’ home and were shown to the garage, where the dog was being kept inside a cage covered with a tarp.

Authorites said that they could see the dog’s rib and hip bones, according to the affidavit. David Channels said the dog did not have any food or water in its cage, according to the affidavit, and told officers he would try to get the dog to a veterinarian, although he said he did not have the money to do so.

Channels told authorities that the dog’s name was “Scarlet,” that she was about 2 years old, and that they had owned her since she was a puppy, the affidavit says.